Royal Mail concerns about Streetspace programme

Caroline Pidgeon: I understand that on the 29 May 2020 Nicholas Dunn, National Distribution Director of Royal Mail, wrote to you setting out concerns the Royal Mail has about the possible impact of the Streetspace programme on collection from postboxes. Will you give an assurance that any reported disruption to collections from postboxes or Post Offices from the Streetspace programme are fully investigated and addressed as a matter of urgency, especially due to Royal Mail’s key role in delivering and collecting Covid-19 home testing kits?

The Mayor: My Streetspace programme is creating more space on our streets so people can safely walk or cycle. If everyone who can walk and cycle does so, this will leave more space on public transport for those who need to use it and will help prevent a car-led recovery from coronavirus. If people switch only a fraction of their previous journeys to cars, essential services will be stuck in gridlock, air pollution levels will rise, and road danger will increase.
As the programme is rolled out, the requirement to provide essential extra space for walking and cycling is being balanced with the need to keep roads moving and maintain appropriate access, and TfL will continue to make refinements where required.
TfL has been working with Royal Mail to ensure that its services are not adversely affected and has already made changes where concerns have been raised. TfL will continue working with Royal Mail and other stakeholders to ensure their requirements are understood and taken into account as further Streetspace changes are introduced.

LFB notices to social sector housing providers

Andrew Dismore: London Fire Brigade has served public notices on high-rise buildings owned by Peabody Housing, London and Quadrant, A2 Dominion, One Housing Group, Tower Hamlet Homes Limited, Lancaster Gate Housing. What efforts is the Mayor making to persuade the owners to comply with these notices?

The Mayor: I do not have powers over building owners, but Londoners must have confidence that their homes are safe and I will continue to hold building owners to account on fire safety. In March I wrote to all building owners and managers in London, urging them to improve the safety of residential blocks and to start preparing for a number of other recommendations, ahead of legislation. London Fire Brigade also continues to provide support and advice to building owners and managers to ensure that their legal obligations are being met.
I continue to discuss the Fire Safety Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, with the London Fire Commissioner. The Bill will give more clarity on which areas are the responsibility of the Responsible Person so that they can fulfil their role and be held to account if they do not.

TfL Reserves (1)

Susan Hall: TfL’s Liquidity/Treasury Management policy requires them to hold roughly £1.2b in reserves at all time – based on being the operating costs for 2 months. What was the lowest reserve figure reached during the coronavirus crisis, and when?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL’s) “Treasury Management Policies” states that TfL will aim to maintain a minimum level of cash reserves of at least 60 days’ worth of forecast annual operating expenditure, approximately £1.2bn. Cash reserves include cash and short-term investments held by TfL Group (excluding ring fenced subsidiaries; Crossrail Limited, London Transport Insurance (Guernsey) Limited and London Transport Museum Limited).
The day after the funding package was agreed with Government on the 15 May, TfL’s cash balance dropped to £1,269m. The lowest value of cash and liquid investments held by TfL Group since 2 March 2020 was £1,265m on 18May 2020.

Lockdown Crime

Shaun Bailey: Please can you tell us what crime has increased under lockdown, and what are you doing to bring it down?

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor’s Question 2020/2347.

Judical Reviews

Tony Devenish: Please supply a list of all the examples of TfL losing judicial reviews or other court cases since May 2016.

The Mayor: Since May 2016 there have been 17 Judicial Review applications issued against Transport for London (TfL) excluding cases where TfL was an interested party only. TfL was fully successful in 14 cases, there was a finding against TfL in one case (brought by Westminster City Council in respect of Cycle Superhighway 11), one case was settled without a hearing and one case is on-going. This answer relates solely to Judicial Reviews as providing the information in relation to other types of litigation would require significant research.

Supporting Those with Physical Impairments on TfL Services

Jennette Arnold: How can you reassure those with physical restrictions that TfL are putting measures in place to ensure they are welcome and able to travel on London’s public transport system once lockdown restrictions are lifted?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is committed to offering its customers a Turn-up-and-go service and DLR, Trams and Buses provide a fully step free service. However, TfL has needed to make changes to protect everyone's health. This includes maintaining a two-metre distance when supporting customers with a mobility impairment (for example, by providing manual boarding ramps). If TfL staff are unable to safely support customers onto public transport then TfL will arrange a special taxi to the nearest accessible point on the customer’s journey. TfL encourages customers to plan step-free routes in advance and check before they travel in case of disruptions or station closures.
To help maintain social distancing, queueing systems are being introduced outside some stations. When there are queues outside a station, customers who identify themselves as disabled should be allowed to enter the station without queueing. Customers are being advised of maximum lift capacities on posters positioned outside each lift.
Drivers are briefed to be alert to customers requiring the ramp on buses and driver alert buzzers remain in place. Buses with front door boarding have a maximum capacity limit, for the latest information on boarding arrangements, please see: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/bus-changes. Carers travelling with wheelchair or mobility scooter users, will still be permitted to board the bus to use the wheelchair space, even if both customers exceed the maximum capacity limit.
TfL continues to engage with its Independent Disability Advisory Group and Accessibility Forum to find ways to make changes as inclusive as possible whilst prioritising safety.

Leaver Rates and Vacancies in the London Fire Brigade

Caroline Pidgeon: In the Q4 2019-20 People Services Performance Report the LFB made clear that they had 72 more operational vacancies than expected due to an unanticipated number of leavers. However, the report does not adequately explain how the LFB plans to avoid such a significant underestimation in future. What are you doing to work with the LFB and make sure this does not happen again given the potential impact on operational effectiveness?

The Mayor: From 2014-15 to 2018-19, London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) early retirement rates averaged 16 per cent and full service retirement rates averaged 62 per cent. In 2019-20 these rates increased to 28 per cent and 77 per cent respectively. Retirement is a personal choice and anticipating when people will decide to retire can be challenging. Another difficulty in predicting this is that some firefighters can give just one week’s notice for retirement. The increase in retirement rates in 2019-20 was not anticipated as neither rate had been increasing year-on-year prior to this. However, future forecasts have now been increased as a result and will be kept under review.LFB is reviewing the workforce planning arrangements to include a percentage of resilience for all ranks in promotion rounds. Thiswill come into effect once the talent framework is in place for all ranks by mid-2022, and the number of staff displaying ‘readiness for role’ is known. This will create a more effective process for enabling staff to progress and ensure that roles are filled.

Transport Focus Survey (3)

Alison Moore: 46% of Londoners say they would drive rather than use public transport, but 50% say they are more likely to walk/cycle in future. What measures will you use to support walking and cycling to prevent a return to pre-Covid pollution levels?

The Mayor: My Streetspace Plan is the biggest and quickest transformation of the road environment in London ever - and the most ambitious and far-reaching scheme of its nature in the country that will create some of the largest car-free areas in a capital city.
The scheme is using £55m to deliver a range of temporary interventions across London, working on Transport for London and borough roads, precisely designed to encourage and enable more walking and cycling.
A number of public opinion polls have recognised that during the lockdown, with significantly less road traffic, walking and cycling was more pleasant and air quality improved. Through the Streetspace Plan we hope to keep these benefits by enabling different travel choices to be made going forward.

High Barnet station development

Andrew Dismore: Will you commit to a further round of engagement with residents over plans for High Barnet station to ensure their maximum input?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is committed to hearing the views of the local community and held public exhibitions on its proposals for High Barnet in June and November 2019, as well as holding meetings with local stakeholders and community groups to improve the proposals. Feedback channels remain open via the project’s website and TfL continues to meet local groups virtually.
Before submitting a planning application, TfL will provide updated information to the local community. Following submission of the planning applications, the London Borough of Barnet will carry out its own consultation on the proposals and TfL will notify all those that have expressed an interest in the scheme. This will help raise public awareness of the planning application and encourage further feedback from the local community.

Travel Concessions (1)

Alison Moore: How many passengers do you estimate would be affected by the proposed change to the Older Persons Freedom Pass and Oyster60+ concessions?

The Mayor: The temporary changes to the Older Person’s Freedom Pass and 60-plus Oyster card pass will mean those passes are not able to be used before 9am on weekdays. This is to help support social distancing on the public transport network and help control coronavirus.
Around 15,000 holders of either the Older Person's Freedom Pass or 60+ Pass were travelling in the morning peak during the period of lockdown prior to this change.
On an average pre-coronavirus weekday, around 100,000 holders of either the Older Person's Freedom Pass or 60+ Pass travelled in the morning peak.

Implementing cycle infrastructure on Edgware Rd

Murad Qureshi: Some residents have welcomed the barriers for cyclists and walkers along the Edgware Road and would like them to be extended further down the road towards Maida Vale? Can we have an update on the Edgware Road cyclelane works?

The Mayor: The current Streetspace scheme implemented along Edgware Road is focused on providing extra space for pedestrians and is not a specific cycling measure. Transport for London has considered the possibility of extending these measures northwards to Church Street Market, although this will depend on an increase in footfall and consideration of Government recommendations around social distancing.

Streetspace (1)

Alison Moore: Which boroughs have submitted plans for Streetspace projects? How many are in place and what impact have they had?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has now received bids from all London boroughs. Given the urgency of the crisis, some borough-led interventions are already in place, with the majority due to be implemented within the next 6-8 weeks. As interventions are targeted to increase space for walking and cycling where this is needed, TfL and I expect a positive collective impact, but cannot confirm this until monitoring has been undertaken.

Highways Authority

Tony Devenish: Do you accept that if a Highways Authority is premeditatedly altering the road without taking into account its traffic use, its actions are illegal?

The Mayor: Highway Authorities are required to follow legislation set out when undertaking their statutory, safety and operational duties, including making alterations to the road network. To help Highway Authorities operate during COVID-19, the Department has helpfully issued further statutory guidance, which I understand is being followed by London’s Highway Authorities.

Social Distancing

Alison Moore: What measures are in place at stations and transport interchanges to enable disabled and visually impaired passengers to maintain social distance and safely use public transport?

The Mayor: Please see my responses to Mayor’s questions 2020/1902 and 2020/1903.

Anti-Social Behaviour of Cyclists

Tony Devenish: I am receiving increasing numbers of emails about the anti-social behaviour of cyclists. What is TfL doing to seek to reduce incidents of unacceptable behaviour?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) works with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to engage and educate cyclists about safe and responsible road use. Police officers and TfL’s operational enforcement officers engage with riders to discourage cycling on the pavement, asking them to dismount or to leave the footway, with the vast majority of riders complying. Where aggressive or antisocial cycling on the pavement poses a risk to pedestrians or other road users, MPS officers can use their discretion to respond fairly and proportionately. MPS officers continue to deal with a minority of cyclists flouting rules such red lights, focusing effort on where this causes risk to pedestrians and cyclists themselves.
I am determined that our city's recovery from coronavirus is clean, green and sustainable, and a key part of this will be preventing London’s roads from becoming gridlocked with private cars and the economic and environmental damage that this would entail. My world-leading Streetspace for London plans will help sustain the record boost in cycling over the past few months by providing more safe routes for cycling, as well as providing space for people to walk while maintaining social distancing.

Park Lane Cycle Lane (4)

Tony Devenish: Are you aware that drivers are now rat running and going through Hyde park and around the Serpentine to avoid Park Lane going north?

The Mayor: My bold new Streetspace plan will rapidly transform London’s roads so we can accommodate the vast increase we need to see in cycling and walking when lockdown restrictions are eased. Traffic levels during the lockdown period reduced significantly. If measures weren’t introduced to provide additional space for people walking, cycling and waiting for bus services, then it is reasonable to expect the use of private cars to substantially increase above pre-lockdown levels.
Transport for London is monitoring traffic levels in the Hyde Park area since the introduction of the new cycle lane, bus lane and 20mph limit on Park Lane and they are not currently higher than pre-lockdown levels.

TfL Extraordinary Funding and Financing Agreement (16)

Alison Moore: In advance of the end of the Support Period, an additional funding package for Crossrail will need to have been identified and presented to the project Sponsors. What is your initial expectation on the level of the additional funding package?

The Mayor: Coronavirus has created additional uncertainty for Crossrail Ltd, as it has for many organisations. Crossrail Ltd is currently assessing the options to mitigate the impact as far as possible. Transport for London and the Department for Transport as joint sponsors will continue to work with Crossrail on the funding position.

Supporting Those with Sight Impairment on TfL Services

Jennette Arnold: What specific measures are you putting in place to ensure that those with sight loss and/ or travelling with guide dogs are supported and able to travel comfortably on TfL services once lockdown restrictions are lifted?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s question 1902 for details on how Transport for London (TfL) is supporting disabled customers.
If a visually impaired person requests customer assistance which requires “hands on” guiding, staff will arrange a special taxi to take them to the nearest accessible point on their journey. If guiding can be provided whilst maintaining a 2m distance, then it will be offered.
TfL expects all buses to have returned to front-door boarding imminently. This will make it easier for visually impaired customers to confirm the bus route with the driver. Drivers have been briefed to be alert to customers asking questions where middle boarding remains in place. Audio announcements continue to be in place across TfL services to support visually impaired customers.

Congestion Charge

Alison Moore: Will you consider variations to the Congestion Charge price by time of day and week if this is feasible?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) considered variations to Congestion Charge price by time of day and day of the week as part of the options to temporarily change the scheme in response to the coronavirus pandemic but these were rejected. Traffic levels are high across the day including into the evening and throughout the week. As such, it would be difficult to determine an effective pricing system that avoids the unintended impact of inducing additional journeys during periods with lower charges. In addition, these types of changes would not have been operationally feasible to implement in the short-term as temporary measures and would have made the scheme more complex and difficult to understand.
As set out in my Transport Strategy, TfL continues to investigate whether there are ways to better reflect distance driven, emissions, time and road danger in a smart and fair system. New technologies could offer the potential for variations in price by time of day and week in the longer term but any future proposals would need to be preceded by detailed feasibility work and be subject to consultation.

Screens in private hire vehicles

Caroline Pidgeon: What steps are TfL taking to ensure robust guidance is available that responsible private hire operators can realistically adopt as quickly as possible to enable the installation of screens in existing cars to separate drivers from passengers?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has published guidance on the installation of temporary partitions in private hire vehicles (PHVs).It is essential that any aftermarket equipment fitted in licensed vehicles complies with appropriate safety standards and the guidance includes advice on an assessment process which is available at two leading automotive testing facilities.
Details of how to apply for an assessment have been widely shared with the private hire industry including through weekly stakeholder calls, emails sent to licensees and published in TPH notices and on our website.Please see TPH Notice 07/20, TPH Notice 08/20 and www.tfl.gov.uk/tph-policy for further details.
One manufacturer, which is a popular choice of vehicle for many in the private hire industry, has developed (and had approved) a temporary partition for use in the vast majority of its vehicle models. Vehicle owners, drivers or operators can contact their local dealership to have a partition installed.

Streetspace speed of delivery

Caroline Russell: Constituents have raised concerns with me about the slow pace of progress on the Streetspace programme. Why is it taking so long to award money and deliver these schemes on the streets: is it the availability of money to invest, equipment to deliver change on the ground, or political commitment?

The Mayor: Implementation of the London Streetspace Plan has taken place at record speed, with multiple schemes already completed or in construction on both the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) and borough roads, and many more schemes in development with targeted delivery by October this year. Never before has London seen such rapid and necessary change on the road network, supporting our emergence from the coronavirus lockdown by enabling and encouraging people to safely walk and cycle. As of 15 July over 15,960m2 of new pedestrian space had been created on the TLRN and almost 15km of new or upgraded cycle provision delivered on both TLRN and borough highway, with over 20km more in construction.
Transport for London (TfL) has worked closely with London boroughs to ensure funding has been allocated as quickly as possible for local Streetspace schemes. Bids are received from boroughs, assessed by TfL and successful boroughs allocated funding on a weekly basis. As of 15 July, TfL has confirmed funding for 860 borough Streetspace schemes with a total estimated final cost of just over £30m. TfL continues to work closely with borough officers to support continued delivery to programme, with progress updates received on a weekly basis.

Park Lane Cycle Lane (3)

Tony Devenish: Are you aware that, by pushing motor vehicles on Park Lane down to a single lane of traffic, the Park Lane cycle lane is causing gridlock well beyond Park Lane, with traffic frequently backed up down to Victoria and Knightsbridge?

The Mayor: My bold new Streetspace plan will rapidly transform London’s roads so we can accommodate the vast increase we need to see in cycling and walking when lockdown restrictions are eased.
With London’s public transport capacity potentially running at a fifth of pre-crisis levels, millions of journeys a day will need to be made by other means. If people switch only a fraction of these journeys to cars, London risks grinding to a halt, air quality will worsen, and road danger will increase. Encouraging and accommodating more walking and cycling will help ensure London’s recovery from coronavirus is clean, green and sustainable.
Traffic levels during the lockdown reduced significantly and we continue to see reduced levels of traffic across Central London. Journey times for vehicles across Hyde Park Corner from both Victoria and Knightsbridge remain lower than pre-lockdown levels since the cycle lane and 20mph limit on Park Lane were introduced.

226 bus engine revving

Andrew Dismore: I have received reports of the 226 Bus stopping at the Hodford Road bus stop for 10-15 minutes, keeping their engines idling for all the time, and revving them for several minutes before leaving the bus stop. Will you inform the bus operator Metroline that this is not acceptable, and ask the drivers to switch their engines off if they are being kept at the bus stop?

The Mayor: Since receiving this question, Transport for London (TfL) has shared this complaint with Metroline, which operates route 226 on its behalf, to make them aware and so drivers can be advised accordingly. If you have more detail about the times and days when this has happened, this would help the operator look into the matter on behalf of your constituents.
TfL’s general guidance is to switch off the engine if the bus is not going back into service within approximately a minute. Some more modern hybrid buses have types of environmental management systems that switch the engine off automatically if the vehicle is stationary.

Improving pavements and cycle infrastructure in Barnet

Andrew Dismore: What discussions has TfL had regarding improving pavements and cycle infrastructure in Barnet to accommodate social distancing? What locations have been earmarked for improvements?

The Mayor: I can confirm that the London Borough of Barnet has submitted a number of proposals as part of the London Streetspace Plan and they are currently being assessed by Transport for London. I will be able to provide further update on the proposals in due course.

European Social Fund

Tony Devenish: What has been your total allocated budget from the European Social Fund since May 2016? Please list how much of this you have spent or underspent and on which projects.

The Mayor: London’s ‘notional’ share of £433.7m of the England European Social Fund (ESF) programme was allocated at the start of the current – and now final - set of European Structural and Investment Fund programmes in 2014-15; prior to May 2016. The programmes close in 2023-24.
The London ESF programme is currently approximately 85% committed. Exact figures fluctuate with the exchange rate, as the programme is managed in Euros. There has been no ‘underspend’ at programme level, either in London or nationally, in that London has every year exceeded its share of the annual expenditure targets set by the EU. Missing these targets would result in funds being returned to the EU.
A list of London’s ESF projects and the funding allocated to them, can be found on the London Economic Action Partnership website: (https://lep.london/sites/default/files/London%20ESF%20Provision%202019-2023.pdf).

Diversity in the London Fire Brigade (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: The Q4 2019-20 People Services Performance Report shows that LFB Control currently has no BAME staff in senior management roles. Do you think this is acceptable and how will you be working to address this moving forward?

The Mayor: London’s emergency response services must reflect the diversity of the city, and I agree that this is not an acceptable situation. I have asked the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to look at this as part of their wider work on diversity and inclusion.
The Assistant Commissioner for Control fed into the development of the LFB’s new Togetherness Strategy, which will provide training and development to help BAME staff gain the skills needed to progress within the organisation, along with targeted leadership development for underrepresented groups at Control and across the LFB.
A review of role and rank structure took place in 2020 and the implementation of the Control and Mobilising Improvement Plan continues, with the introduction of a new management structure and a specific action to create more senior leadership opportunities for Control Managers. The impact of this is being monitored.

Abandoned Cycles

Alison Moore: Cycle parking will be at a premium as we all take to our bikes. TfL, local highway authorities and the railway industry should ensure cycle parking is available by clearing abandoned cycles and other things off cycle stands. Will the Mayor step up TfL’s activity to remove abandoned cycles from street furniture and ask London’s local councils and the rail industry to do the same?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is aware that cycling parking will be at a premium as London emerges from lockdown and more people start cycling. Therefore, it is rolling out over 1000 spaces on the TfL Road Network and over 350 spaces at London Underground stations over the next eight weeks. As part of TfL’s regular network inspections, any abandoned cycles are given notice and removed after seven days. If customers have any concerns about abandoned cycles, they can report these to the TfL Customer Contact Centre on 0343 222 1234.
London’s boroughs have similar policies in place to remove abandoned bicycles on their roads. I have asked TfL to raise this with London Councils to ensure that they are working in a co-ordinated way to keep cycling infrastructure available for those who need it.

Improving Cycle Access for Women and BAME Communities

Jennette Arnold: Can you tell me whether the proportion of women cyclists and BAME cyclists has increased since the introduction of the East-West and North-South cycle superhighways in central London?

The Mayor: The latest demographic data for cycling in London is published in the Travel in London (TIL) Report 12, available at http://content.tfl.gov.uk/travel-in-london-report-12.pdf.
Recent data in the Travel in London report indicates that the proportion of women cycling on Transport for London (TfL) cycle routes is around 27 per cent on most routes. In general, where data is available, this gender split has remained largely unchanged with respect to the pre-construction baselines.
TfL’s most recent data for Cycleway 3 (previously known as East-West), from Tower Hill to Lancaster Gate indicates that the proportion of women using the route has remained at 26 per cent, which was the same proportion as before the scheme was constructed. The proportion of women cycling on Cycleway 6 (previously known as North-South), from Elephant and Castle to King’s Cross, has increased from a baseline of 28 per cent, to a most recent figure of 33 per cent across the full route.
The data available in TfL’s Travel in London report also indicates that in terms of ethnicity, most people who cycle are white (above 85 per cent on all assessed routes), and this proportion does not appear to have changed following construction of the routes.
The proportion of BAME cyclists using Cycleway 3 increased slightly from a baseline of 8 per cent, to a most recent figure of 10 per cent. The proportion of BAME cyclists has remained the same for Cycleway 6, at 10 per cent in both the baseline and post-construction periods.
It should be noted that both Cycleway routes have experienced increases in the number of cyclists, which would indicate that more women and BAME cyclists are using the routes even where proportions remain similar.

TfL Settlement – Under 18 Travel

Navin Shah: There is no reference to any timeframe about how long the suspension of free under 18 travel is? When will the suspension end and who will determine this? Grant Shapps MP’s written statement refers to special arrangements for free travel to schools. Can I have details please as to how this will work?

The Mayor: I and the Government agree that we need to reduce the numbers of children using Transport for London’s (TfL’s) services during the current coronavirus pandemic to ensure that London’s public transport capacity is available for those who need it most. However, there are significant problems with implementing the Government’s request to end free TfL travel for under 18s, in particular that it would require a big new cost for local councils as an estimated 30 per cent of children who travel to school by bus are legally entitled to free travel.
I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport to urge him to drop this condition and work with TfL on other ways of reducing public transport usage by children to fulfil the objectives we both share. Further discussions with the Government are planned in the coming weeks and we have sought their guidance on how they believe this would work in practice.

TfL Settlement – Disabled Freedom Pass

Navin Shah: Can I have confirmation that the Disabled Freedom Pass is not affected?

The Mayor: Customers with a Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass are unaffected and will, as usual, still be able to travel at all times using their Disabled Freedom Pass.

Costs of extra training for revised LFB policy notes

Andrew Dismore: How much extra spending will be required on training for the policy notes LFB has reviewed in light of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and HMICFRS reports?

The Mayor: Options and associated costs for extra training for revised London Fire Brigade policy notes are being finalised and will be subject to internal governance via Transformation and Commissioner Board meetings.

Encouraging Good Practice on public transport

Jennette Arnold: Has the Mayor had a discussion with National Rail about incentivising good behaviour by providing face masks for users?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has engaged closely with the Department for Transport, National Rail, and the train operating companies throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure consistent messaging on both the Government’s guidance on wearing face coverings while travelling and maintaining social distancing. In support of this guidance, TfL, Network Rail and train operators have at times provided free face coverings to passengers and co-ordinated exemption arrangements for those who are unable to wear a face covering for medical reasons.
Face coverings have been mandatory on all public transport, including rail, since 15 June. 90 per cent of passengers during the morning peak on TfL’s services are now complying with the requirement. TfL provided over 250,000 free face masks to the public at key locations on London’s transport network between 8 June and 12 July.

Lavender Hill Junction

Caroline Pidgeon: Further to your answer to Question 2019/14171 where you stated TfL “will set out next steps by December 2019, including dates for public consultation.Subject to the consultation responses, necessary approvals and available funding, construction could begin in 2020.” Please state when the consultation on improvements to the junction will now commence and by what date the improvements to the junction are expected to be completed.

The Mayor: Unfortunately the development of this scheme was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Transport for London intends to engage on a proposal in September 2020 and, subject to feedback from the public and necessary approvals, it is envisaged that the scheme would be implemented in early 2021. However, like all planned TfL expenditure, this is subject to agreement being reached with the Government on the funding support that TfL will need following the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

384 bus [4]

Andrew Dismore: Will TfL hold a virtual public meeting by zoom, skype or similar medium to enable residents and stakeholders to give their views on TfL’s plans for the 384 bus?

The Mayor: Transport for London is looking at options for holding a virtual public meeting and discussion. Please also see my response to Mayor’s Questions 2020/1799 and 2020/1978.

384 bus [3]

Andrew Dismore: TfL promised that before any changes to the 384 bus were made, they would hold a public meeting so that residents can make their views known. Given virus related problems will TfL organise a public meeting as promised with social distancing to enable people to make their views known, before the changes are implemented?

The Mayor: Given the current restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, it would not be appropriate for Transport for London (TfL) to arrange a public gathering at this time. Instead, TfL is looking at options for holding a virtual public meeting and discussion.

Details on completion of the Streetspace programme

Caroline Russell: When Streetspace was announced, you said it would include a range of measures including: “creating sections of temporary segregation from Merton to Elephant and Castle, and Pimlico to Putney. Space for cycling will be created between Catford town centre and Lewisham via the A21, and on the A23 between Oval and Streatham Hill.” I understand now that you intend to complete this programme by the end of this summer, so could you provide planned completion dates and lengths in km for each section of the temporary separated cycle lanes you are building?

The Mayor: My London Streetspace Plan is being delivered at record speed, with multiple schemes already completed or in construction on both the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) and borough roads. Many more schemes are in development, targeted for delivery by October this year.
As of 16 July 2020, nearly 16,000m2 of new pedestrian space had been created on the TLRN. Some of the key schemes delivered to date include social distancing measures on busy high streets, including at Stoke Newington, Brixton, and Camden. New temporary cycle routes have also been implemented on Park Lane and Hampstead Road, and Cycle Superhighway 8 between Chelsea Bridge and Lambeth Bridge has been upgraded. In total, almost 15km of new or upgraded cycle provision has already been delivered on both TLRN and borough highway. Information on schemes delivered so far is on the TfL website, along with details of how people can provide feedback.
Transport for London plans to deliver much more by October 2020, with over 50km of temporary cycle lanes planned for delivery. Work has recently begun on delivering a key new cycle link on Euston Road between Cycleway 6 and the new route on Hampstead Road. Work is also continuing at pace to develop proposals for routes between Lewisham and Catford, Colliers Wood and Balham, Oval and Streatham, and extending Cycle Superhighway 8 from Chelsea Bridge to Lots Road. Owing to the pace at which the programme has been developed, TfL cannot currently give more precise delivery dates for each planned scheme. However, it is committed to engaging with stakeholders and residents about planned works and will ensure that you are kept informed.

Finchley Central station development

Andrew Dismore: Will you commit to a further round of engagement with residents over plans for Finchley Central Station to ensure their maximum input?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is committed to hearing the views of the local community and held public exhibitions on its proposals for Finchley Central in June 2019 and January 2020, as well as holding meetings with local stakeholders and community groups to improve the proposals. Feedback channels remain open via the project’s website and TfL continues to meet local groups virtually.
Before submitting a planning application, TfL will provide updated information to the local community. Following submission of the planning applications, the London Borough of Barnet will carry out its own consultation on the proposals and TfL will notify all those that have expressed an interest in the scheme. This will help raise public awareness of the planning application and encourage further feedback from the local community.

Update on black cab numbers

Murad Qureshi: How many black cabbies do we have at this moment in time? How many are women? And how many of them are from BAME communities?

The Mayor: Transport for London publishes this statistical information on its website: www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing/licensing-information.

Helicopter Noise

Tony Devenish: On the 31st May and on the 1st June, 2 helicopters remained in stationary flight over Pimlico for several hours. This caused a lot of loud and unwelcome noise for my constituents. Will you make representation to the Civil Aviation Authority on the need to keep such occurrences to a minimum?

The Mayor: I am sorry to hear about the recent noise disturbance caused by helicopters overhead. I have previously made representations to Government and to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that the regime governing helicopter flights over London is not fit for purpose and offers little if any protection from helicopter noise. I will continue to make the case to both Government and the CAA that this issue must addressed, including through the establishment of a credible and fully independent noise regulator with effective powers of enforcement.

Chelsea Bridge/Grosvenor Road junction

Tony Devenish: Will you commit to a meeting with me and members of the Federation of Pimlico Residents' Associations Limited (FREDA) to discuss the significant problems with the temporary changes to the Chelsea Bridge / Grosvenor Road junction?

The Mayor: The London Streetspace schemes have been rapidly rolled out to create more space for people to safely walk or cycle as our city emerges from the lockdown. Public transport will continue to have a much-reduced capacity, and the Streetspace measures have been, and will continue to be, critical in allowing Transport for London (TfL) to make socially distanced active travel safe, attractive, and viable.
TfL are committed to ensuring that Streetspace schemes are safe and appropriate for each locality. I understand TfL has already engaged with the Federation of Pimlico Residents’ Associations Limited (FREDA) and that slight amends have already been made to the scheme as a result of its feedback. TfL will continue to listen to people’s concerns and make changes where appropriate. TfL is also planning a programme of engagement over the next nine months to discuss the long-term future of Streetspace schemes. I have asked TfL to ensure FREDA are part of this engagement going forward.

Cycle Your City Campaign and North East Constituency

Jennette Arnold: Please provide the number of women who have taken up the ‘Cycle Your City’ offer in Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest. Please provide a borough by borough breakdown.

The Mayor: Of the 23 women who volunteered to become Cycle Your City ambassadors, one was from Hackney, one from Islington and four from Waltham Forest.

Uptake on the Cycle Your City Campaign

Jennette Arnold: Please provide details of the number of women who have taken up the ‘Cycle Your City’ offer. Please provide a month by month breakdown for March -June 2020.

The Mayor: There was not a specific Cycle Your City offer to women, however at the launch in March, Transport for London (TfL) did ask women to volunteer as ambassadors for the campaign and share their personal stories of cycling in London to inspire others. Twenty-three women volunteered to become Cycle Your City ambassadors following the launch of Cycle Your Cityon 6 March 2020. Nine women volunteered in March and a further 14 in April.
This ambassador programme, along with other Cycle Your City events and activities were not taken forward as planned in the spring due to coronavirus.TfL will be contacting these women to involve them in the new Cycle Your City plans.

Encouraging London’s Women to Cycle

Jennette Arnold: Please provide details of how the Cycle Your City campaign launched by TfL at the beginning of March has been adapted in the light of the lockdown and changes imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Mayor: The Cycle Your City campaign was designed to increase the diversity of people cycling in London. The first Cycle Your City campaign was aimed at women and included a series of activities and events that encouraged more women to take up cycling and looked in depth at factors contributing to their underrepresentation, so Transport for London (TfL) could better understand how to address this inequality.The campaign had to be paused when the coronavirus crisis began and TfL’s focus remained on the immediate safety of all Londoners and its staff.
As restrictions on travel begin to ease, improving and increasing opportunities for people in underrepresented groups to enjoy the benefits of cycling is more important than ever before.
To meet the increasing demand, TfL is reshaping the Cycle Your City campaignto integrate with the London Streetspace programme.A new schedule of activities and events - both virtual and active - will focus on ensuring women and people in other underrepresented groups can get the most out of the new infrastructure and active travel opportunities being planned and delivered across London.

LFB Togetherness strategy

Andrew Dismore: What will the Togetherness strategy add to efforts to remove barriers to people from underrepresented demographics joining the Brigade?

The Mayor: London Fire Brigade (LFB) has delivered over 70 firefighter information daysin the last year, focussed on underrepresented communities, and the LFB has increased applications and appointments across most underrepresented groups in firefighter recruitment. The new Togetherness Strategy aims to increase representation across all areas by supporting people from underrepresented communities to apply, and equipping key internal stakeholders (e.g. recruiters, outreach volunteers, managers and current firefighters) with the skills and confidence to become ambassadors to support efforts to make the Brigade more representative.
Other actions include: a full review of recruitment and promotions processes; new training for assessors; a review of advertising and materials to reflect the new LFB Behavioural Framework; empowering role models; and improvingrelations between LFB and external communities.

Implementing cycle infrastructure on Euston Rd

Murad Qureshi: The cycle lane on the Euston Road, was announced along with the Park Lane cycle lane. The Park Lane cycle lane has been completed, but as yet there is no sign of the Euston Road cycle lane. Can we have an update?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is making improvements to the A501 Euston Road as part of my London Streetspace Plan, including a new temporary cycle route and a lower speed limit of 20mph between Gower Street and Midland Road/Judd Street. Work on the scheme started on 2 July, and the eastbound cycle lane is now substantially complete. By the end of July, an interim layout for the westbound cycle facility will be implemented, including wide bus lanes and light segregation. By the end of August, the final temporary lanes with light segregation, bus stop bypasses and 20mph will be completed.